Gophers to lose half of 1,000-yard backfield as Barber goes pro

Jan. 15, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota running back Marion Barber III announced Saturday that he will enter the NFL Draft, giving up his final season of eligibility.

Barber, the school's third-leading career rusher with 3,276 yards, has gained more than 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons. He and Laurence Maroney became the first teammates in Division I-A history to each rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.